On May 22, 2025, on the feast of the transfer of the relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra in Lycia to Bari, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City.
The bishop was assisted by a council of clergy from the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia: the rector of the cathedral, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, Dean of the First District of the Eastern American Diocese, rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God in Glen Cove, New York, Archpriest Alexander Antchutin, rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" in the New York borough of Staten Island, Archpriest Vasily Zelenyuk, head of the Pilgrimage Service of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, rector of the Church of St. Gregory the Theologian in Tampa, Florida, Archpriest Andrei Kovalev, rector of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the Bayside area of New York City, Priest Rodion Shamazov, head of the chancery of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, rector of the Church of St. John the Baptist in Little Falls, New Jersey, Priest Mark Rashkov, cleric of the Novo-Diveyevo Monastery of the Russian Church Abroad Priest Artemy Sys. The deacon's rank was led by the head of the service of bishops' protocol, Deacon Alexei Golubov.
The liturgical chants were performed by the combined choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA under the direction of choirmaster Alla Kerko.
Before the beginning of the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew ordained the altar servers of this church, Siluan Liriano and Dismas Ramirez, as readers for the Church of St. Gregory the Theologian in Tampa, Florida.
At the small entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', for the feast of the Bright Resurrection of Christ and as a blessing for diligent work for the good of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Bishop bestowed liturgical awards: Archpriest Andrei Kovalev was awarded the right to wear a cross with decorations, and priest Mark Rashkov was awarded the right to wear a club.
During the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew ordained the warden of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Bayside, subdeacon Andrei Malyshev, as a deacon.
After receiving the Holy Mysteries of Christ, the archpastor and the concelebrating clergy performed a glorification of Saint Nicholas at the church icon containing a particle of his holy relics.
At the end of the service, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov addressed the bishop with a word of greeting. The Bishop cordially congratulated the rector, clergy and parishioners of the cathedral on the patronal feast day, and also thanked the guests, clergy and believers, who honored with their presence and prayers the day of remembrance of the beloved saint in the cathedral of New York.
The festive fellowship continued over a meal prepared by the cathedral sisterhood under the leadership of Mother Alla Vyzhanova.
